Recent comments in /f/baltimore

2020steve t1_jdb490m wrote

Reply to comment by Expendable_Red_Shirt in 8 new restaurants are opening in Hampden. Yes, you read that right. by federal_thrill

>Imagine if you went to a zoo and they sold all their mammals. It's still a zoo. But you can still be bummed there aren't lions and elephants and stuff.

I've been living here for 20 years. I think people enjoy living here is because it's generally pretty useful. There are two grocery stores, three mechanic shops, a solid hardware store, and a nice nightlife. It's very walkable and the parking's really not terrible when you remember that you are in the middle of a large city.

These are all practical concerns. The nightlife is practical in that it helps people bond which can help build a sense of community which, in turn, maintains the safety and livability of this neighborhood.

It only took a couple years to get annoyed at the 34th street lights thing. Are you trying to go somewhere in Hampden on a Sunday in December after the Ravens pound the shit out of the Steelers? Forget it. My aunt and uncle lived on Keswick and it was bad back in the 80's too. Some years are worse than others.

Maybe the knee-jerk reaction is "Well, don't go there if you don't like it" but I live here. What's the alternative? I go over to the Waverly Giant to buy groceries?

If 36th street was a wall of bars and foofy restaurants, that means I'd have to go elsewhere for practical things. I gave up drinking years ago, so why stay in a neighborhood geared towards entertainment?

To paraphrase the Wu-Tang, Hampden has diversified its bonds. If we had all our eggs in the drinking/dining basket, we'd go bust every time the economy tanks. The population would be far more transient. But because we have a lot to offer to different kinds of people, it's pretty stable, which makes it a place you'd like to hang out in.

I hate this "purity" thing you're talking about because what I'm talking about is SO far from some hipster hangup about "authenticity" or whatever. I just want this place to serve its residents well so that it can stay nice.

Check out The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. Cities exist primarily to serve their residents and when they fail to do that, they begin to fail in other ways.

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SaveFailsafe t1_jdb3tlc wrote

Reply to comment by TYMATO in 8 new restaurants are opening in Hampden. Yes, you read that right. by federal_thrill

It's not impossible not even close. It's just not anywhere close to a priority for this city, which can't even make the sidewalks it already has ADA compliant. New sidewalks? Forget about it.

They could at least clear the brush, but they don't. There is actually space for a shoulder but it's completely overgrown.

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[deleted] t1_jdb2oxv wrote

Reply to Inner harbor restaurants. by Disastrous_Food_6973

The best thing near downtown for the money is Mick O Shea's, which is an Irish pub that serves some of the better Latin American food in the city center because the chefs plainly just want to be making Mexican food rather than Irish pub fare (though both are pretty decent)

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Kraqrjack t1_jdb21mm wrote

Reply to comment by greenisthecolour11 in fells point Starbucks bathroom code is 0412 by babesbobo

Also there was a thread on Reddit about a guy who chose to live in his car. He was a coder or something, choosing to be homeless. Traveled from Starbucks to Starbucks to use the wi-fi. Bought food, sat there all day, used the bathroom, and did this consistently. So being homeless and even transient is not the issue. Spend money. Private entities should not be forced to pick up the slack for failed government.

As a taxpayer I’d certainly endorse public shithouses on every corner. Other countries have them.

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ViolentEastCoastCity t1_jdavbsd wrote

Reply to Inner harbor restaurants. by Disastrous_Food_6973

Not to yuck anyone’s yum but downtown Baltimore is a wasteland for food. I worked down there for ten years before Covid happened. I’ve done it all.

Ramen Utsuke, Liora/Double Zero are good ideas. Underground Pizza. Ammoora. Pitamore and Poyoteca are legit for quick lunch. I always kinda liked Supanos but it’s basic home style Italian.

Don’t bother with Phillips, Bubba Gump, Hard Rock, Hooters— ie Chain Nonsense. Fogo is fine but it’s also a huge chain. Ditto Ruths Chris and Capital Grille. Don’t go to Kona; overpriced! Sullivan’s (if it’s still there) was on a downward slide, don’t recommend. Blackwall Hitch is a chain but I haven’t been there.

Don’t go to crafty crab either. They’ve got a god damn dungeoness crab claw logo 🙄

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why_grapefruit_why t1_jdauvgh wrote

Reply to Inner harbor restaurants. by Disastrous_Food_6973

I will echo making the walk over to Thames Street Oyster House. It’s absolutely phenomenal.

Please don’t be tempted by the great location that Phillips has. The food and service is just embarrassing. Although props to their chef who jumped in the harbor and saved someone from drowning today, that’s cool man.

If you can broaden your search and take a 10-15 minute Uber I would also look at Nicks Fish House right on the water. It’s a great place to be in the summer, drinking an orange crush and listening to the live music. I love their mini crab balls and they have the best crab dip in town.

Nicks and Thames are my 2 favorite places to take people who don’t get to eat seafood a lot,

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